In an effort to increase exports from Chhattisgarh, the District of Raipur and investors participated in an Export Outreach Program organized by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Government of India. The program was attended by the Collector Dr. Sarveshwar Bhure, who encouraged the growth of exports from Chhattisgarh with government facilities and help.
During the program, information was given about exportable products from the state of Chhattisgarh, and government facilities given to exporters. Exporters and investors also kept their problems and gave suggestions to increase exports. Representatives of Treec, Sfaxil, Industries Department, Minor Forest Produce Federation, APEDA, SIDBI, as well as Bank of Baroda participated in the program.
The Collector stated that Chhattisgarh is the main exporter of many products, including rice, in the country. The state government has given many facilities to the exporters, and special provisions have also been made for exporters in the industrial policy. The Collector emphasized the possibilities of exporting wire, rods, bars, coils, TMT bars, crude steel as well as forest produce tamarind, mahua, lac and small grain millets Kodo Kutki Ragi etc. made in Chhattisgarh and making an action plan for the same.
Exporters and investors present in the program described Chhattisgarh as a state of potential from the point of view of exports. The exporters demanded to continue the exemption of 5% in mandi fee issued to increase the export of rice. Presently, Chhattisgarh government is giving 5% exemption of market fee to rice exporters for one year, whose term is going to end in the next 2 months. The exporting groups also demanded concession for transportation to the exporting units, saying that Chhattisgarh is a landlocked state. Some exporter groups demanded government assistance for modernization of processing plants in the program.
The program aims to develop districts as export hubs, and such programs are being conducted by the Directorate of Foreign Trade, Government of India, in 75 districts of the country with potential to increase exports. Raipur and Durg districts have been selected for this in Chhattisgarh state. The Collector informed that due to the policies and facilities of the government, there has been an average increase of more than 22% in the exports of the state in the last five years. Special efforts are being made to promote the export of rice, construction machinery and materials, and processed spices from Chhattisgarh.
